Miller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Former Sabres captain Steve Ott happy with Blues, ready for Stanley Cup run

TORONTO – Steve Ott is no longer the guy, just one piece of arguably the NHL’s deepest club, the powerhouse St. Louis Blues. Of course, the popular former Buffalo Sabres captain knew he was joining a special team.

But how good is St. Louis?

Tuesday’s 5-3 win against Maple Leafs was the Blues’ 10^th victory in 13 games since acquiring Ott and franchise goalie Ryan Miller on Feb. 28.

Ott won only 17 of ... Read the full article

Blues’ Steve Ott ‘disappointed’ Pat LaFontaine gone from Sabres, happy Ted Nolan likely staying

TORONTO – Steve Ott’s opinion of the Buffalo Sabres hasn’t changed. The former captain still believes the rebuilding club’s future can be bright.

Still, the gritty winger is “disappointed” Pat LaFontaine resigned as the team’s president of hockey operations March 1, a day after the Sabres traded Ott and franchise goalie Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.

“I thought he was a phenomenal man,” Ott said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek happy to be with Canadiens

BUFFALO – Back in the summer, Thomas Vanek had a simple, straightforward question for the Sabres. The slick winger wanted to know what direction the team was going.

“No one really had an answer,” Vanek said Sunday prior to the Montreal Canadiens’ 2-0 win against Sabres, his first game back here. “That’s when I kind of made up my mind July 1 (unrestricted free agency) was probably a goal of mine.”

The Sabres, of course, ... Read the full article

Former Sabres broadcaster Pete Weber back in booth after suffering heart attack

BUFFALO – Just 33 days after suffering a heart attack, veteran play-by-play man Pete Weber is calling games again. Incredibly, the Nashville Predators’ 4-1 win Tuesday inside the First Niagara Center was the former Sabres broadcaster’s seventh contest back.

Sitting in his booth about two hours before faceoff, the affable Weber, a popular Buffalo sports voice in the 1980s and 1990s, recalled the scary day.

“Right people, right time and right location,” said Weber, whose ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Chris Stewart likely done for season

BUFFALO – In his second appearance Thursday, winger Chris Stewart wowed interim coach Ted Nolan, adding some much-needed size and grit to the Sabres.

But Stewart collided with Tampa Bay goalie Anders Lindback late in the Sabres’ 3-1 win, injuring his right ankle.

The 26-year-old’s season is likely over, Nolan said.

“Stewart doesn’t look good right now,” he said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “There’s only five weeks left in the year. I ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Ted Nolan glad trade deadline has passed

BUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal NHL trade deadline for the rebuilding Sabres. No one was off limits.

“If you look at the majority of the teams, they got one guy maybe they’re thinking about moving,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in Tampa Bay, a day after the deadline. “We had almost half our team in the trade mill. We didn’t really know until yesterday.

“There was a lot of anxious moments. ... Read the full article

Rebuilding Sabres busy at trade deadline, not done overhauling roster

BUFFALO – Tim Murray said he began his first NHL trade deadline day as a general manager with no expectations, unsure which direction the rebuilding Sabres might go.

By the end Wednesday, Murray had made three notable deals, trading familiar names like Matt Moulson, Cody McCormick and Brayden McNabb while acquiring NHL talent and prospects. He also grabbed Canisius product Cory Conacher off waivers.

Murray, who sent franchise goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray on trade deadline: ‘It’s a good day’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray’s first NHL trade deadline as general manager was a busy one. The Sabres made three deals, sending veterans Jaroslav Halak, Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick away. Murray also made one surprising deal, trading prospect Brayden McNabb to the Los Angeles Kings.

Here’s more from Murray:

On if today was a good day:

“I think it’s a good day. I think the combination of the picks that we’ve added and the young ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Jaroslav Halak to Capitals

BUFFALO – Jaro, we hardly knew ye.

As expected, the Sabres have flipped goalie Jaroslav Halak, trading him to the Washington Capitals today with a 2015 third-round draft pick for goalie Michal Neuvirth and defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

The Sabres acquired the 28-year-old Slovak in Friday’s Ryan Miller trade. Halak never played with the Sabres, only dressing for Monday’s 3-2 loss in Dallas.

Halak, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is 24-9-4 with ... Read the full article

Sabres have plenty of assets to offer before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Expect the rebuilding Sabres to be busy prior to today’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. No one’s off limits this year. Remember, new general manager Tim Murray has no attachment to any players on the roster.

This could be the team’s busiest and biggest deadline ever. Today might help reshape the franchise for the next five or 10 years.

Here are some Sabres who could be dealt and their contract status:

Winger Matt ... Read the full article